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Do Red Cars Cost More to Insure? Everything You Need to Know

Choose a car in the color you like best: after all, you'll be seeing it on a daily basis for a long time. However, if your first choice is red, you might be hesitant if you've heard the rumor that red cars are more expensive to insure.

Choose a car in the color you like best: after all, you'll be seeing it on a daily basis for a long time. However, if your first choice is red, you might be hesitant if you've heard the rumor that red cars are more expensive to insure.

Do red cars cost more to insure? If you've heard this myth, you're not alone: a study by InsuranceQuotes.com found that 44% of Americans believe that having a red car will increase your insurance premiums, reports CNBC.

Does Having a Red Car Increase Your Insurance?

Never fear, though. The myth that red cars cost more to insure is, in fact, a myth. While auto insurance companies take a number of factors into account when calculating your insurance rate, the color of the car isn't one of them.

When you sign up for auto insurance, your insurance company will want to know the make, model, and year of your vehicle, plus its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Rather than the color of your car, your insurance company will be much more interested in the make and model of your car. For example, a standard, mainstream model will be cheaper to insure than a high-end imported vehicle.

Auto insurance companies look at risk factors that could mean that you are more likely to make a claim. These include factors like your claims, location, age, gender, and driving record.

However, while insurance companies tend to look at the same set of risk factors, keep in mind that they calculate their insurance rates differently. This means that you can shop around by getting quotes from different insurance companies to find the best rates.

Insurance premiums take into account the make and model, including the engine size and the car's sticker price.

Insurers will also often offer discounts for features that could reduce the risk of accidents of theft, such as daytime lights or anti-theft alarm systems.

Do Red Cars Get Pulled Over More Often?

Part of the red car myth is that red cars are more likely to get pulled over by the police than other cars. Some studies show that certain models of cars are more likely to get pulled over, although these results aren't particularly strong.

A 2016 review of traffic violation data of more than 300 models by Insurance.com found that the vehicles most likely to be ticketed include a combination of economy and luxury models, as Cover Blog reports.

Since police pull vehicles over because of the driver's behavior rather than based on the model, this finding actually suggests that certain types of drivers are drawn to different vehicle models, rather than that police choose to pull over certain models more often.

While studies are inconclusive, they do suggest that red cars or flashier cars are more likely to get a ticket. The theory here though is that drivers who are more likely to get violations are also more likely to choose red cars or flashy models.

Riskier drivers are more likely to rack up tickets and to have to pay more for their insurance since the auto insurance companies calculate that these drivers are more likely to submit a claim. So it's possible that the red car insurance myth true in a certain way. But it's simply not the case that insurers place higher premiums on red cars.

Where Does the Red Car Myth Come From?

If it's not true that red cars cost more to insure, where did this urban legend come from? Some say it's because of their bright, immediately noticeable color. The hypothesis here is that police issuing tickets are more likely to have their attention drawn to a bright red car. Others note that red cars are traditionally associated with car racing, so drivers who like to go fast may be more likely to purchase a red car than other types of drivers.

However, as Esurance points out, a 2007 study by Monash University in Australia found that vehicles in low-visibility colors, such as gray silver, and black, are statistically associated with a higher risk of getting into an accident.

However, because there are so few studies on ticket or crash rates of different cars by color, there is really no conclusive proof about any connection between car color, safety, or ticketing.

Notably, the Monash University study also found that other factors, such as vehicle model and light conditions, have a greater effect on crash risk than the color of the car.

Are Red Cars More Likely to Be Stolen?

More expensive car models are more expensive to insure because from the insurer's perspective, they are more difficult to replace if stolen. Plus, your rates may go up if your car is stolen, since you'll need to file a claim with your insurance company. So which color car is more or less likely to be stolen may also be a consideration if you're trying to decide what color to buy.

Fortunately, if you prefer red, you can consider yourself lucky: Cover Blog reports that a CCC Information Services report in 2012 found that car thieves are more likely to go after black, white, gold, and green cars.

What Factors Actually Do Affect Your Insurance Premiums?

So if your car's color doesn't affect your premiums, what does? Factors that mean you're more likely to get into an accident will drive up your premiums. This includes:

whether you usually drive during rush hour, and

the number of miles you drive.

Many insurers also offer "good driver" discounts for those who:

have not submitted a claim in a certain number of years, or

who have better driving records.

Whether your car is more likely to be vandalized will also affect your premium, which is why where you park your car matters.

Insurance is also more expensive for drivers who are under 25 since both younger and newer drivers are more likely to get into accidents.

Do red cars cost more to insure? If you're on the market for a red car, take heart: This common story is actually a myth.

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